December 2015

The Prisoner of Castillac: Molly Sutton Mysteries Book 3

By Nell Goddin

I was so happy to receive an advance copy of The Prisoner of Castillac: Molly Sutton Mysteries Book 3, and am equally happy to submit an honest and sincere review.  I love the village of Castillac and have grown fond of all of its citizens.  Molly’s bed and breakfast is filled, but finances are definitely becoming an issue.  Book 3 finds Molly and Ben Dufort involved in a darker, more suspenseful mystery. The mysterious disappearance of Valerie Boutillier comes to the surface again.  Will Molly and Ben finally bring closure to this long-standing mystery?  Definitely a good read!

Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society

by Amy Hill Hearth

Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society is a step back in time to the 1960’s and a more racially segregated south.  Jackie arrives in Naples, Florida from the north, bringing new energy and ideas to the small, conservative, southern town.  Change comes in the form of the new literary society and local radio personality.  Although it’s a novel, the northern/southern differences in culture and racial perspective are historically accurate.  Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society by Amy Hill Hearth is an engaging and significant book.  Definitely a very good read!

The Happiness Project

By Gretchen Rubin

(Audible edition)

I loved The Happiness Project!  As I listened to the Audible edition, I kept thinking that I had read the book.  While I may have, I can’t be sure that I did.   Maybe it was just familiarity with the subject of happiness.  Gretchen Rubin did a great job of narrating her own story.  After an awakening of sorts, she decided to devote a year of her life to her ‘happiness project’.  Each month had a specific focus.  She shares her successes and failures, both those promoting happiness and those that did not.  I found the audio version to be enlightening and entertaining.  I hope Gretchen Rubin and all of her readers/listeners fine continuing success with their ‘Happiness Projects’.  Definitely a valuable listen!

The Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms

By Amy Stewart

(Kindle edition)

I haven’t reviewed any of my reading in several months.  Since I visited my frozen earthworms out in the shed recently, I’ve decided to begin with Amy Stewart’s book.  I loved The Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms in the same way that I love my frozen earthworms.  It was surprising to find someone else who had the same earthy interest in those small, wiggly creatures.  The fact that they’re not all so small was also a surprise. The book is filled with interesting stories and facts. Would it surprise you to know that there are giant worms living under the soil in some places, like Oregon and Australia?  Did you know that Darwin kept and studied worms in his senior years?

Reading the book gave me a new respect and understanding for the residents of my ‘worm farm’.  They help the earth, but at times can also be a danger.  However, none of it is intentional.  They just do what worms do, which is a lot more than I ever realized.  I’m wondering if any of the worms in my worm farm will survive this cold winter.  If they don’t, I’m seriously thinking about not raising any more little garbage eaters.  I don’t think of them in the same way after reading he Earth Moved: on the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms. It was definitely a significant read!

The Hundred Foot Journey

by Richard C. Morais

Narrated by Neil Shah

Audiobook

The Hundred Foot Journey was a great audiobook.  The narration by Neil Shad was excellent. The book tells the story of the journey of Hassan Haji, from childhood to that of a famous chef.  It was engaging and often hilarious.  I’m anxious to see if the movie is half as good as the audiobook.  It was definitely a great listen and I’m sure the actually reading would have been just as enjoyable.

The Patron Saint of Liars

by Ann Patchett

Audiobook

I love books by Ann Patchett and The Patron Saint of Liars , her debut novel, was not a disappointment.  The story follows the journey of Rose Clinton from California to St. Elizabeth’s, a home for unwed mothers in Kentucky. Relationships are a theme throughout, including friendships, husband and wife, mother and daughter, and, perhaps most importantly, past and present.  Rose appears to be emotionally detached throughout this deeply emotional book.  As in real life, it’s hard to watch her making decisions that affect both her life and the lives of those around her.  Patchett has a way of weaving quirky lives into great literature.  The Patron Saint of Liars was a great debut book.  I enjoyed the audio version with an excellent narration by Julia Gibson.